I have the same exact problem. I have had this problem for 20+ years. I can't tell you how many times I've told the person on the other end that the person they are looking for has NEVER lived here and not a relative. It sure is disgusting. I can't figure out what to do.
Thank you for your input MFoster, welcome to RegulationRoom. The FDCPA generally prohibits debt collectors from talking to anyone but the consumer. However, there is an exception for collectors trying to locate the consumer, which seems to be what's happening in your situation. If you tell the collectors that this individual does not live at your address, the collectors are not allowed to call again. Do you know if the problem is that this rule is not being enforced, and the same collectors continue to call, or is the problem that many different collectors are trying to collect on several outstanding debts? You may be interested in reading more on what CFPB has to say about this on the Talking to other people about the consumer's debt topic page.
ahmom
1
I have the same exact problem. I have had this problem for 20+ years. I can't tell you how many times I've told the person on the other end that the person they are looking for has NEVER lived here and not a relative. It sure is disgusting. I can't figure out what to do.
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Moderator
2
Thank you for your input MFoster, welcome to RegulationRoom. The FDCPA generally prohibits debt collectors from talking to anyone but the consumer. However, there is an exception for collectors trying to locate the consumer, which seems to be what's happening in your situation. If you tell the collectors that this individual does not live at your address, the collectors are not allowed to call again. Do you know if the problem is that this rule is not being enforced, and the same collectors continue to call, or is the problem that many different collectors are trying to collect on several outstanding debts? You may be interested in reading more on what CFPB has to say about this on the Talking to other people about the consumer's debt topic page.
View this comment in the discussion thread